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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






2. Repetition of a single tone.






3. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






4. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






5. A direction to play expressively.






6. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






7. Suite of Baroque dances.






8. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






9. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






10. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






11. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






12. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






13. A direction to play lively and fast.






14. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






15. A short light musical drama.






16. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






17. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






18. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






19. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






20. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






21. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






22. The first violin in an orchestra.






23. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






24. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






25. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






26. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






27. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






28. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






29. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






30. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






31. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






32. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






33. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






34. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






35. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






36. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






37. A quick - improvisational - spirited piece of music.






38. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






39. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






40. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






41. A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition.






42. The principal note of a triad.






43. Suite of Baroque dances.






44. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






45. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






46. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






47. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






48. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






49. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






50. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.